Since most people seem to be talking SOTU this week these links trend toward the political — that is what I’ve been reading this week so that is what you are getting. And hey did you know that “Uncle Sam” dates to the war of 1812 and barrels of meat delivered to the front lines? (via Dinner Party Download on iPod for BikeRide) – look it up. History is neat! Which brings me to…

I wish that Jed Bartlet was real and that he had delivered a rebuttal if no the speech itself. Instead, at least we have his Twitter persona (@Jed_Bartlet – he is good) and this education-centered response written in character.

Finally, the non-political but uses flame-worthy headline. Sitting is Killing you. Redeeming factor is they provide solutions, though getting a yoga-ball to sit on isn’t one of them. Hmmm… future blog post…

con·nect /kəˈnekt/ (v)

Yelling at the coldI awoke to -6 degrees this morning. Yet I was snuggled in my bed-for-now with a warm puppy and blanket. The wind was bitter in the early hours on the trek to work, chilling hands in -6 seconds. Yet cavetching at it — yelling at the wind and cold — would do nothing to change it. There is a difference in the mindset of “this is happening to me” and “this is happening in spite of me.” Not out of spite, in spite.

Sometimes — oftentimes — there is nothing we can do but find acceptance in what is. I struggle not to read that as defeatist but rather realist and maybe even hopeful. We can do small acts to change our situation yet the greatest act is to change our way of thinking.

It is cold. Walk faster. Put hands in pockets. Laugh with two gents on a streetcorner as we turn our backs to the wind waiting for the light. Looking for the light…

I can choose focus on my discomfort (the lack of gloves and other bits of life I might wish were in my grasp at this moment) or I can realize the cold isn’t out to get me. It exists. So too does the promise of a warm office and a cup of coffee which my cold hands better appreciate for the difference. It is all training — a practice.